Slotted cross-member

ABSTRACT

A cross-member for supporting electrical equipment above the ground, where the cross-member includes a slot to accept a bolt used to secure the electrical equipment to the cross-member, where the slot allows the bolt to be inserted into the cross-member after the electrical equipment is placed on the cross-member.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date under35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No.62/257,538, filed Nov. 19, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD

The embodiments relate generally to a cross-member for supportingelectrical equipment. They relate particularly to a cross-member with arecessed slot to facilitate securing the electrical equipment on thecross-member.

BACKGROUND

Traditional cross-members for supporting electrical equipment includebolts inserted in tracks in the cross-members. The bolts are insertedprior to electrical equipment being placed on the cross-member.Accordingly, bolt holes in the electrical equipment must be aligned withthe bolts and then the electrical equipment can lowered onto the boltsand the cross-member. Aligning the bolt holes in the electricalequipment with the bolts is very difficult because there are often fourbolts to align, the electrical equipment is often heavy, sometimesweighing thousands of pounds, and is located at elevated positions.Additionally, aligning the bolt holes in the electrical equipment withthe bolts creates a safety concern because the lineman installing theelectrical equipment are located above the ground and must manuallyalign four bolts as the electrical equipment is moved into place.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a cross-member for supporting electrical equipmentcomprises a longitudinal member with a first wall, a second wall, and afirst base extending between the first wall and the second wall, wherethe first wall, the second wall, and the first base extend along anentire length of the cross-member, and a protrusion extending from thefirst base into a space between the first wall and the second wall,where the protrusion includes a third wall, a fourth wall, and secondbase, where the protrusion includes an opening in a direction away fromthe space between the first wall and the second wall, and at least oneslot in the second base that extends longitudinally along a portion ofthe second base, where a width of the at least one slot is less than awidth of the second base, where a length of the at least one slot isgreater than the width of the at least one slot, where the at least oneslot is configured to accept a bolt after electrical equipment is placedon the cross-member.

In another embodiment, a method of installing electrical equipment on across-member comprises providing a cross-member comprising alongitudinal member having a first wall, a second wall, and a first baseextending between the first wall and the second wall, where the firstwall, the second wall, and the first base extend along the entire lengthof the cross-member, the cross member further comprising a protrusionextending from the first base into a space between the first wall andthe second wall, where the protrusion includes a third wall, a fourthwall, and second base, where the protrusion includes an opening in adirection away from the space between the first wall and the secondwall, the protrusion comprising at least one slot in the second basethat extends longitudinally along a portion of the second base, where awidth of the at least one slot is less than a width of the second base,where a length of the at least one slot is greater than the width of theat least one slot; and aligning a bolt hole in a base of electricalequipment with the at least one slot; placing the electrical equipmenton the cross-member such that the base of the electrical equipment restson the first base of the cross member; and inserting a bolt through thebolt hole and the at least one slot.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention willbe, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, likereferenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a cross-member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cross-member.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a cross-member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cross-member.

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cross-memberinstallation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a cross-member 110 for supporting electricalequipment is provided. The cross member 110 may comprise a longitudinalmember 112 with a first wall 114 and a second wall 116. As best shown inFIG. 1, the first wall 114 may be located on a surface of a first leg118, and the second wall 116 may be located on a second leg 120. Thelegs 118 and 120 may be configured to contact or otherwise interact witha rack or other suitable system for supporting the electrical equipment(shown in FIG. 5). In some embodiments, the legs 118 and 120respectively comprise the depicted flat portions 122 and 124 with bores126 and 128 (shown in FIG. 2), which may facilitate the attachment ofthe longitudinal member 112 to other support equipment or structure.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first base 130 may extend between the first wall114 and the second wall 116. The first wall 114, the second wall 116,and the first base 130 may extend along an entire length of thecross-member 110. The first base 130 may comprise a first surface 131that is substantially perpendicular to the first wall 114 and/or thesecond wall 116. The first surface 131 may be adjacent to a space 132 atleast partially defined by the first wall 114, second wall 116, and/orthe first base 130.

The cross-member 110 may comprise a protrusion 134 extending from thefirst base 130 into the space 132. In the depicted embodiment, theprotrusion 134 has a third wall 136 and a fourth wall 138. The thirdwall 136 may be parallel or approximately parallel to, and face towards,the first wall 114. Similarly, the fourth wall 138 may be parallel orapproximately parallel to, and face towards, the second wall 116. Asecond base 140 may extend between the third wall 136 and the fourthwall 138. In some embodiments, and as depicted in FIGS. 1-2, theprotrusion 134 including the third wall 136, the fourth wall 138, andthe second base 140 may extend along the entire length of thecross-member 110.

As best shown by FIG. 2, at least one slot 142 may be formed in thesecond base 140. The slot 142 may comprise a length that extendslongitudinally along a portion of the second base 140. A width of theslot 142 may be less than a width of the second base 140. The secondbase 140 may comprise more than one slot. In some embodiments, each ofthe slots may have identical or similar dimensions.

The slot 142 may be configured to accept a bolt 144, for example afterelectrical equipment is placed on the cross-member 110. As depicted inFIG. 1, the width of the slot 142 may be wider than the diameter of theelongated body portion 146 of the bolt 144, but smaller than the minimumcross-sectional size of a nut 148 (not shown) corresponding to the bolt144. This embodiment is advantageous where the cross member 110 andcorresponding equipment are designed such that a nut 148 (not shown) canbe joined to the bolt 144 at a location within the space 132. In someinstances (and as shown in FIGS. 1-4), head 152 of the bolt 144 may bealternatively located within the space 132, and therefore the width ofthe slot 142 may be larger than the diameter of the elongated bodyportion 146 of the bolt 144 but smaller than the minimum cross-sectionaldimension of the head of the bolt 144.

In some embodiments, including the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the firstbase 130 may comprise an opening 150. The opening 150 may be locatedopposite the slot 142, and as depicted, may extend the entire length ofthe cross-member 110. Alternatively, the opening 150 may be formed alongonly a portion of the first base 130 opposite of the slot 142. Like theslot 142, the opening 150 preferably has a width greater than thediameter of the elongated body portion 146 of the bolt 144 such that theopening 150 can accept the bolt 144.

The above-described embodiments are advantageous when installing (e.g.,securing) electrical equipment to the cross-member 110. Referring toFIG. 3, the cross-member 110 comprises the protrusion 134 with thesecond base 140, and a slot 142 in the second base 140. Thisconfiguration allows a bolt 144 to be lowered from above such that theelongated body portion 146 may be accepted by the slot 142. This mayallow a fastener (such as the depicted nut 148) to be tightened from thebottom of the longitudinal member 112 from within the space 132 (seeFIG. 1). Advantageously, this embodiment may allow the bolt 144 to beplaced from above after the placement of the electrical equipment on thecross-member 110 and prior to the tightening of the nut 148 from below.This may allow the electrical equipment to be located on thecross-member 110 without consideration of the location of a pre-placedfastener, which may increase the safety and efficiency of installing theelectrical equipment. Additionally or alternatively, this configurationallows a bolt 144 to be inserted in slot 142 from below, as shown inFIG. 4. Inserting bolt 144 into slot 142 from below also may allow thebolt 144 to be placed after the placement of the electrical equipment onthe cross-member 110 and prior to securing the bolt from above, such aswith a nut 148. Bolt 144 may be inserted in slot 142 from above or belowcross-member 110 after the electrical equipment is placed oncross-member 110. Additional components may be included to secure bolt144 to cross-member 110, such as a washer (not shown) that holds thebolt 144 and prevents rotation of bolt 144.

The method of securing bolt 144 and direction of inserting bolt 144 inslot 142 may vary depending on the application. Securing methods mayinclude, for example, threaded fasteners, such as nuts, threadedelements of cross member 110, threaded elements of other supportingequipment, and inserting pins perpendicular to the bolt 144, as well asother fasteners.

Referring to FIG. 4, multiple slots 142, 142′ may be formed in thesecond base 140. This may be advantageous when corresponding electricalequipment requires securement at multiple locations (thereby requiringmultiple fasteners). In other embodiments, the longitudinal member 112may have more than two slots 142. The slots 142, 142′ may havesubstantially identical dimensions, particularly when they areconfigured to interact with substantially identical fasteners. In otherembodiments, the dimensions of the slots 142, 142′ may be different. Forexample, in some instances, the location of electrical equipment placedon the cross-member 110 may be particularly sensitive, and therefore oneslot may have relatively small dimensions to precisely locate onefastener connecting one connection point of the electrical equipment tothe cross-member 110, while a second slot may have relatively largerdimensions, which may simplify the process of locating the second slotwhen placing the second fastener.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a cross-member installation inwhich a frame 102 corresponding to electrical equipment is attached tothe cross-member 110. As shown, frame 102 is in contact with thelongitudinal member 112, which is placed on a second perpendicularlongitudinal member 111 (though this is not required in everyembodiment). The longitudinal member 112 may be adjustable along thesecond longitudinal member 111, and may be secured in place by afastener 104 when properly placed. The frame 102 may be lowered intocontact with the longitudinal member 112. Frame 102 may be placed suchthat holes in the frame 102 correspond to the location of slots 142 incross-member 110. After the frame 102 is placed in a suitable location,the bolt 144 may be lowered through the frame 102, and the elongatedbody portion 146 of the bolt 144 may be lowered through the opening 150and may be accepted by the slot 142. In some embodiments, if furtheradjustment of the location of the frame 102 is required, the frame maymove longitudinally along the longitudinal member 112 even after thebolt 144 is placed and prior to tightening a faster (e.g., a nut) to thebolt.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A cross-member for supporting electrical equipmentcomprising: a longitudinal member with a first wall, a second wall, anda first base extending between the first wall and the second wall,wherein the first wall, the second wall, and the first base extend alongan entire length of the cross-member; a protrusion extending from thefirst base into a space between the first wall and the second wall,wherein the protrusion includes a third wall, a fourth wall, and asecond base, wherein the protrusion includes an opening in a directionaway from the space between the first wall and the second wall; at leastone slot in the second base that extends longitudinally along a portionof the second base, wherein a width of the at least one slot is lessthan a width of the second base, wherein a length of the at least oneslot is greater than the width of the at least one slot, wherein the atleast one slot is configured to accept a bolt after electrical equipmentis placed on the cross-member.
 2. The cross-member of claim 1, whereinthe at least one slot is configured to accept a bolt inserted into theat least one slot from the space between the first wall and the secondwall after electrical equipment is placed on the cross-member.
 3. Thecross-member of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot is configured toaccept a bolt inserted into the at least one slot from a side of thecross-member adjacent to the first base after electrical equipment isplaced on the cross-member.
 4. The cross-member of claim 1, furthercomprising attachment tabs extending from an end of the first wall andthe second wall that is opposite the first base, wherein the attachmenttabs are substantially perpendicular to the first wall and the secondwall.
 5. The cross-member of claim 4, further comprising a plurality ofbores located in the attachment tabs.
 6. The cross-member of claim 1,wherein the opening in the protrusion is narrower than the second base.7. The cross-member of claim 1, wherein the first wall, second wall,third wall, and fourth wall are substantially parallel to each other. 8.The cross-member of claim 1, wherein the first base and the second baseare substantially parallel to each other.
 9. The cross-member of claim1, wherein the first wall, second wall, third wall, and fourth wall aresubstantially perpendicular to the first base and the second base. 10.The cross-member of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot includes twoslots, wherein the two slots are spaced apart.
 11. The cross-member ofclaim 10, wherein the two slots have different dimensions.
 12. Thecross-member of claim 1, wherein the width of the at least one slot isless than a width of the opening in the protrusion.
 13. The cross-memberof claim 1, wherein the width of the at least one slot is substantiallythe same as a width of the opening in the protrusion.
 14. Thecross-member of claim 1, further comprising a bolt to secure electricalequipment on the cross-member.
 15. The cross-member of claim 1, whereinthe cross-member is configured to support a voltage regulator.
 16. Thecross-member of claim 1, wherein the cross-member is configured tosupport electrical equipment in an elevated position.
 17. A method ofinstalling electrical equipment on a cross-member, the methodcomprising: providing a cross-member comprising a longitudinal memberhaving a first wall, a second wall, and a first base extending betweenthe first wall and the second wall, wherein the first wall, the secondwall, and the first base extend along the entire length of thecross-member, the cross member further comprising a protrusion extendingfrom the first base into a space between the first wall and the secondwall, wherein the protrusion includes a third wall, a fourth wall, and asecond base, wherein the protrusion includes an opening in a directionaway from the space between the first wall and the second wall, theprotrusion comprising at least one slot in the second base that extendslongitudinally along a portion of the second base, wherein a width ofthe at least one slot is less than a width of the second base, wherein alength of the at least one slot is greater than the width of the atleast one slot; aligning a bolt hole in a base of electrical equipmentwith the at least one slot; placing the electrical equipment on thecross-member such that the base of the electrical equipment rests on thefirst base of the cross member; inserting a bolt through the bolt holeand the at least one slot.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the atleast one slot comprises a plurality of slots, the method furthercomprising the step of aligning a plurality of bolt holes in the base ofelectrical equipment with the plurality of slots.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the bolt is inserted through the bolt hole and the atleast one slot from above the base of the electrical equipment.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the bolt is inserted through the bolt holeand the at least one slot from below the cross-member.
 21. Across-member for supporting equipment comprising: a longitudinal memberwith a first wall, a second wall, and a first base extending between thefirst wall and the second wall, wherein the first wall, the second wall,and the first base extend along an entire length of the cross-member; aprotrusion extending from the first base into a space between the firstwall and the second wall, wherein the protrusion includes a third wall,a fourth wall, and a second base, wherein the protrusion includes anopening in a direction away from the space between the first wall andthe second wall; at least one slot in the second base that extendslongitudinally along a portion of the second base, wherein a width ofthe at least one slot is less than a width of the second base, wherein alength of the at least one slot is greater than the width of the atleast one slot, wherein the at least one slot is configured to accept abolt after equipment is placed on the cross-member.